Freedom 'Riters: John Dolan's Story

Presented by Spiro Bolos at the National Council for History Education (NCHE) Conference, March, 2019.

Transcript

1. Spiro Bolos New Trier High School boloss@nths.net www.spirobolos.com @spirobolos FREEDOM ‘RITERS: John Dolan’s Story
2. Spiro Bolos New Trier High School boloss@nths.net www.spirobolos.com @spirobolos FREEDOM ‘RITERS: John Dolan’s Story
5. National School Walkout: March 14, 2018 New Trier High School
7. NCHE 2017: “Histories Seen and Unseen” in Atlanta, GA
9. The Civil Rights Movement …beginnings
15. “Segregation Series” Gordon Parks
16. EYES ON THE PRIZE: “Ain’t Scared of Your Jails” 1960-1961
18. Stokely Carmichael, 19 Sentenced to: PARCHMAN STATE PRISON FARM
19. 1946 Morgan v. Commonwealth of Virginia (seating) 1960 Boynton v. Virginia (facilities)
20. 1946 Morgan v. Commonwealth of Virginia (seating) 1960 Boynton v. Virginia (facilities) 1955 ICC bans segregation (bus, train, waiting rooms) 1961 ICC bans segregation …again (bus, train, waiting rooms)
21. 1946 Morgan v. Commonwealth of Virginia (seating) 1960 Boynton v. Virginia (facilities) 1955 ICC bans segregation (bus, train, waiting rooms) 1961 ICC bans segregation …again (bus, train, waiting rooms)
22. 1946 Morgan v. Commonwealth of Virginia (seating) 1960 Boynton v. Virginia (facilities) 1955 ICC bans segregation (bus, train, waiting rooms) 1961 ICC bans segregation …again (bus, train, waiting rooms)
23. November 25th, 1955: ICC had banned racial segregation on interstate buses, train lines, and in waiting rooms, but not intrastate.
24. November 25th, 1955: ICC had banned racial segregation on interstate buses, train lines, and in waiting rooms, but not intrastate. 1961
25. Freedom Riders: STATIONS ACTIVITY
26. STATION 1 STATION 2 STATION 3 CORE Letter Envelope Gallup Poll STATION 4 STATION 5 STATION 6 Arrest Report CORE-lator CORE-lator
27. CORE letter to White House: Gallup Poll: Freedom Ride(s) to Jackson, Mississippi: Letter to John Dolan: Arrest of John Dolan (MS): ICC bans discrimination: Scheduled release from prison: April 26, 1961 May, 1961 May 24 - August, 1961 June 12, 1961 June 25, 1961 September 22, 1961 January 2, 1962
30. “‘Abandon your animosities and make your sons Americans,’ said Robert E. Lee.”
34. Gallup Poll (AIPO) [May, 1961] “Do you approve or disapprove of what the ‘Freedom Riders’ are doing?” 22% Approve 61% Disapprove 18% No opinion
40. CORE-LATOR: 10/61
42. “FREEDOM WALK: A new technique for protesting area-wide discrimination has been used successfully by four CORE groups…”
44. CORE-LATOR: 10/61
46. “I saw a uniformed policeman… beating [Frank] over the head...yelling: ‘Look out, he’s trying to escape.’ Since Frank was on his knees, it seemed funny to me that anyone could think he was trying to escape.”
52. Postmarked: 6/19/61
56. “In the past three years I have tried every system that I could think of. Arguments, threats, cajolery, humor and bribery with no effect whatsoever.... Sorry I can’t wish you ‘Bon Voyage,’ but with all my failings, no one has ever called me a hypocrite.”
59. Type a one-page minimum response to John Luther Dolan’s father as if you were that Freedom Rider. Make sure you date your letter, “January 2nd, 1962”, the day his jail sentence ended.
61. January 2, 1962 Father, After reading what you have to say about me and the path that I have chosen for myself I must say I’m sorry. I’m sorry for you. I am sorry that you are unable to sleep for what you believe to be as foolishness. I’m sorry that you feel I am insane, but I feel that [you’re] the insane one.
62. As a doctor, you should be wanting to heal people not only their health but their humanity. I feel that you have failed as a doctor....I hope that one day you come to your senses and realize that the world is changing with or without your consent. And people like me will do what’s right to make sure it changes the right way.... (by Mekah B.)
63. January 2, 1962 Father, Before anything else, thank you for letting me know you’ve kept my things. Just the thought of you looking after my drums gives me the hope that one day we’ll play together like we used to. One day, Father, when all this comes to an end. One day, your son will return to you.
64. But there is so much more left to do. So much more. I have been thinking about your letter for the past weeks, probably because it’s the last thing I had in my hands before I boarded Greyhound. Frank, my friend whom I hope you still remember, had his mother’s kiss as a farewell. I, your letter.
65. When you heard we’ve been jailed, I know what you must have been thinking — that you were right from the beginning. That this was all a product of my insanity. That your son has lost his mind. But Father, who would have thought that six weeks in jail would only make me feel more empowered and needed than ever?
66. I am sorry, Father, for making you feel that way. But I am not sorry for my decisions. If my actions today close a lot of doors for me, it is enough for me that my little actions may have opened doors for other people in exchange.... (by April D.)
67. John Luther Dolan: Oral History 11/10/2001 17:41
70. Spiro Bolos New Trier High School boloss@nths.net www.spirobolos.com @spirobolos
71. Spiro Bolos New Trier High School boloss@nths.net www.spirobolos.com @spirobolos
72. Spiro Bolos New Trier High School boloss@nths.net www.spirobolos.com @spirobolos
73. Spiro Bolos New Trier High School boloss@nths.net www.spirobolos.com @spirobolos
74. Spiro Bolos New Trier High School boloss@nths.net www.spirobolos.com @spirobolos
75. Spiro Bolos New Trier High School boloss@nths.net www.spirobolos.com @spirobolos
76. Spiro Bolos New Trier High School boloss@nths.net www.spirobolos.com @spirobolos
77. Spiro Bolos New Trier High School boloss@nths.net www.spirobolos.com @spirobolos